Taylor suspended for 24 NBA games

Taylor pleaded guilty to misdemeanour domestic violence assault and malicious destruction of hotel property in East Lansing, Michigan last month.

The 25-year-old Swedish-American - in his third year - will sit out 13 games after receiving credit for the 11 matches he has already missed for the Hornets this season.

"This suspension is necessary to protect the interests of the NBA and the public's confidence in it," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said via a release on Wednesday.

"Mr. Taylor's conduct violates applicable law and, in my opinion, does not conform to standards of morality and is prejudicial and detrimental to the NBA.

"While the suspension is significantly longer than prior suspensions for incidents of domestic violence by NBA players, it is appropriate in light of Mr. Taylor's conduct, the need to deter similar conduct going forward, and the evolving social consensus -- with which we fully concur - that professional sports leagues like the NBA must respond to such incidents in a more rigorous way."

Silver added: "The NBA is committed to vigilance with respect to domestic violence.

"We will continue to work closely with the Players Association to provide education, awareness training, and appropriate resources to NBA players and their families.

"We recognise our responsibility to do all that we can to prevent this destructive and unacceptable conduct from happening in the future."